Select a region
Parents of neurodiverse children are calling for a new sensory park including features like tunnels, textured surfaces and 'communication boards' to make play more inclusive in Jersey.
Charis Clark-Andrews, whose three-year-old son has autism, recently began a petition calling for the new extension of Millbrook Park to include facilities for children with neurodiverse and sensory needs.
"My son Elijah finds it difficult to enjoy the facilities and apparatus at most parks as they are simply not stimulating enough for his sensory needs, therefore he becomes bored and agitated quite quickly," she explained.
While that petition was rejected because it was similar to an existing petition, she is now calling for islanders to back another one.
"As long as I can spread light on the need for an all-inclusive sensory playground, then I am happy," she said.
"Politicians and government should remember that we have a wonderful and ever-growing neurodiverse population and that it is important to cater to the needs of those with autism, ADHD, ADD, sensory processing disorders, physical impairments and disabilities and all other neurodiversities."
She said the project was not a "far-fetched" idea and will "change the lives of many."
Pictured: Millbrook Park's water playground; the Island was gifted land at Millbrook Playing Fields, and the ambition is to create a landscaped extension of the current park.
Millbrook Park would be an "ideal" for the all-inclusive playground she envisions, Ms Clark-Andrews said.
Potential facilities could include parent and child expression swings, wheelchair swings, a musical garden, a sensory wall and sensory textured floor tiles, colourful sensory tunnel or sandbox and more.
Ms Clark-Andrews herself has Asperger's Syndrome and said the park needs to be "inclusive for all."
"It could be tailored not only to neurodiverse children, adolescents and adults but to all those with physical disabilities and impairments as I realised that there is very limited within parks if not any, for those with physical impairments and disabilities which is extremely prejudice as all should be able to enjoy a safe, fun and sensory stimulating space."
Penny Chapman, whose daughter Lily-Mae (18) has autism and is a "sensory seeker", said that she was "limited" with options for what they can do after school because of her needs.
Miss Chapman, who is also the co-founder of registered charity AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey, said a sensory playground "would give families like ours another option, because there are so many things we are excluded from. AMaizin! Adventure Park has some wonderful equipment, but it's on the other side of the Island and you have to pay a membership fee."
"There's nothing negative about a sensory playground," she added. "It could promote exercise, which is good for your mind and your body."
However, consideration would be needed for disabled parking at Millbrook, Miss Chapman said.
She also suggested "communication boards", which have recently been installed in St. Peter's nursery school – an initiative headed by the Constable, Richard Vibert.
Pictured: Lily-Mae with one of St Peter's new communication boards.
The boards, which are in English, Portuguese and Polish, use simple and recognisable pictures to allow neurodivergent individuals to express needs and wants, have now been installed at two other primary schools.
Another parent, whose son has a sensory processing disorder, suggested specially designed herb gardens with plants with unique fragrances, a light and sound show, and braille signboards.
Ministers say they are already examining Jersey's current play facilities and how to make them more inclusive, with a 'Play Strategy Group' having been formed.
New 'Play Strategy Group'
Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet said that Millbrook Park was specifically being looked at, but that plans for any changes were "not yet finalised". He said his team would take on board feedback from parents of neurodiverse children raised in consultations.
Pictured: Deputy Binet has said suggestions of a "sensory garden" or "sensory area" would be taken into account.
"A sensory garden or sensory area was suggested by some of the respondents to the recent consultation on the extension of Coronation Park," he noted.
Assistant Children's Minister Deputy Louise Doublet recognised that "all children have the right to engage in play and leisure activities."
"Several policy areas are underway to improve this, recognising the importance of high-quality play opportunities for children's optimal development. These include new planning requirements - requiring play spaces to be provided in larger developments - and improvements to safe access routes to natural play spaces.
"I am working with Deputy Stephenson, who chairs the Play Strategy Group, to further progress work in this area and the Ministerial team have also met with groups representing parents of children with additional needs (including AllMatters Neurodiverse) so we can best understand how to help improve their opportunities.
"It is critical to me that all children, no matter what their needs and abilities, can play in a way that is meaningful, varied, fun and accessible to them. I welcome input from the public in the form of this petition and look forward to engaging in this work to help make a more inclusive island for Jersey's children."
Pictured: Deputy Doublet said she welcomed the petition as a form of engagement.
Lucy Stephenson, an Assistant Minister with responsibility for sport, added that "the needs of neurodivergent people, as well as those with physical disabilities, will absolutely be considered' in the upcoming Play Strategy.
"I'd be very pleased to engage with those with lived experience and views in this important area and would encourage them to get in touch."
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.